Gaming Apparatus and Playing Method Thereof

ABSTRACT

In a gaming machine of the present invention, a player places a bet by operating a gaming terminal for a roulette game displayed on a roulette device, for example. A betting operation of the player at the gaming terminal will not be accepted during a period in which it is not appropriate to accept the bet on the current roulette game in view of a proceeding of the roulette game. The player who is not participating in the roulette game can place a bet in a sub game which is related to a result of the currently proceeding roulette game, during a period in which the betting operation is not accepted.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/881,481, filed on Jan. 22,2007; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by referencefor all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming machine in which playersparticipate in a game displayed by a game execution device throughoperations of gaming terminals connected to the game execution devicevia a network, and a playing method thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

In U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0059474, U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2005/0282618, and U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2005/0218590, a gaming machine in which playersparticipate in a game displayed on a communal display through operationsof the players at gaming terminals connected to the communal display viaa network is disclosed.

The present invention has an object of providing new entertainmentcharacteristics by adding a menu which is different from a menu forparticipating in a game displayed by a game execution device such as acommunal display.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention provides a gaming apparatuswhich comprises a game execution device for executing a first game; aplurality of gaming terminals at which operations by players for thefirst game or a second game related to the first game are inputted; anda game controller connected to the gaming terminals. The game controlleris operable to: (a) set a betting accepting period and a game executionperiod for the first game, (b) accept the player's bet of game media onthe first game during the betting accepting period, (c) execute thefirst game at the game execution device during the game executionperiod, and (d) execute the second game at time other than the bettingaccepting period at the gaming terminal at which the player's bet on thefirst game is not placed.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, even when thereis a period in which the players cannot make bets during the executionof the first game, the second game related to the first game is providedto the player who is not betting on the first game during that period.In this way, the waiting time of the players can be eliminated and agaming machine in which players can make bets any time can be provided.The second game of which content is related to the first game isprovided, so that the interests of the players in the first game can bearoused. In this way, it becomes easier for many players to participatein games, so that it is possible to provide energized games.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a gaming apparatuswhich comprises a game execution device for executing a first game; aplurality of gaming terminals at which operations by players for thefirst game or a second game related to the first game are inputted; amemory for storing payout data in which options on which the player'sbet can be placed on the second game and payout rates for respectiveoptions are set in relation; a game controller connected to the gamingterminals. The game controller is operable to: (a) set a bettingaccepting period and a game execution period for the first game, (b)accept the player's bet of game media on the first game during thebetting accepting period, (c) execute the first game at the gameexecution device during the game execution period, (d) display theoptions and the payout rates according to the payout data at time otherthan the betting accepting period at the gaming terminal at which theplayer's bet on the first game is not placed, and (e) accept theplayer's bet of the game media on any of the options in the second gameat the gaming terminal at which the player's bet in the first game isnot placed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the options ofwhich contents are related to the first game and the payout rates forthese options are displayed in the second game. The player can betcredits on any of these options. As the payout rates are previouslydisplayed, the player can enjoy the game by predicting whether theoption will win or not while viewing the payout rates. Also, the playercan receive the payout according to the bet credits and the payout rate.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a gaming apparatuswhich comprises a game execution device for executing a first game; aplurality of gaming terminals at which operations by players for thefirst game or a second game related to the first game are inputted; anda game controller connected to the gaming terminals. The game controlleris operable to: (a) set abetting accepting period and a game executionperiod for the first game, (b) accept the player's bet of game media onthe first game during the betting accepting period, (c) execute thefirst game at the game execution device during the game executionperiod, (d) accept the player's bet of the game media on any of optionsin the second game at time other than the betting accepting period atthe gaming terminal at which the player's bet in the first game is notplaced, (e) determine a payout rate for one of the options when the beton any of the options for the second game is accepted, and (f) displaythe payout rate of the accepted option at the gaming terminal at whichthe player's bet on the first game is not placed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the payout rateof the second game is determined by a prescribed processing. In thisway, it is possible to provide games with higher entertainmentcharacteristics to the players.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a playing method of agaming machine (the gaming machine has a plurality of gaming terminalsat which operations by players for a first game executed at a gameexecution device or a second game related to the first game areinputted) which comprises: betting game media on the first game at thegaming terminal within a betting accepting period set for the firstgame; executing the first game at the game execution device within agame execution period set for the first game; and executing the secondgame at time other than the betting accepting period at the gamingterminal at which the player's bet on the first game is not placed.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, even when thereis a period in which the players cannot make bets during the executionof the first game, the second game related to the first game is providedto the player who is not betting on the first game during that period.In this way, the waiting time of the players can be eliminated and agaming machine in which players can make bets any time can be provided.The second game of which content is related to the first game isprovided, so that the interests of the players in the first game can bearoused. In this way, it becomes easier for many players to participatein games, so that it is possible to provide energized games.

A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a playing method of agaming machine (the gaming machine has a game execution device and aplurality of gaming terminals at which operations by players for a firstgame executed at the game execution device or a second game related tothe first game are inputted) which comprises: betting game media on thefirst game at the gaming terminal within a betting accepting period setfor the first game; executing the first game at the game executiondevice within a game execution period set for the first game; displayingbetting options and payout rates of the options for the second game attime other than the betting accepting period at the gaming terminal atwhich the player's bet on the first game is not placed; and acceptingbets of the game media on any of the options in the second game, atthose gaming terminals at which bets in the first game are not placed.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the options ofwhich contents are related to the first game and the payout rates forthese options are displayed in the second game. The player can betcredits on any of these options. As the payout rates are previouslydisplayed, the player can enjoy the game by predicting whether theoption will win or not while viewing the payout rates. Also, the playercan receive the payout according to the bet credits and the payout rate.

A sixth aspect of the present invention provides a playing method of agaming machine (the gaming machine has a game execution device and aplurality of gaming terminals at which operations by players for a firstgame executed at the game execution device or a second game related tothe first game are inputted) which comprises: betting game media on thefirst game at the gaming terminal within a betting accepting period setfor the first game; executing the first game at the game executiondevice within a game execution period set for the first game; acceptingthe player's bet of the game media on any of options for the second gameat time other than the betting accepting period at the gaming terminalat which the player's bet on the first game is not placed; determining apayout rate for one of the options when the bet on any of the optionsfor the second game is accepted; and displaying the payout rate of theaccepted option at the gaming terminal at which the player's bet on thefirst game is not placed.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the payout rateof the second game is determined by a prescribed processing. In thisway, it is possible to provide games with higher entertainmentcharacteristics to the players.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing an outline of a processing of a roulettegame machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a perspective view of a gaming terminalaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a perspective view of an outward appearanceof a schematic configuration of a roulette game machine according to anembodiment of the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a plan view of a roulette device accordingto an embodiment of the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing one example of a control data.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing one example of an image to be displayed on adisplay.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of aroulette game machine according to an embodiment of the presentembodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a memory area of a ROM of aroulette game machine according to an embodiment of the presentembodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a memory area of a RAM of aroulette game machine according to an embodiment of the presentembodiment.

FIG. 10 is block diagram showing an internal configuration of a roulettedevice according to an embodiment of the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a memory area of a ROM of aroulette device according to an embodiment of the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a gamingterminal according to an embodiment of the present embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing gaming processings of a gaming terminal,a server and a roulette device of a roulette game machine according toan embodiment of the present embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing gaming processings of a gaming terminal,a server and a roulette device of a roulette game machine according toan embodiment of the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing gaming processings of a server and aroulette device of a roulette game machine according to an embodiment ofthe present embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing gaming processings of a gaming terminaland a server of a roulette game machine according to an embodiment ofthe present embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing one example of an image to be displayed ona display of a gaming terminal according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing an outline of a processing of a roulettegame machine according to an exemplary modification of an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing gaming processings of a gaming terminaland a server of a roulette game machine according to an exemplarymodification of an embodiment of the present embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing one example of an image to be displayed ona display of a gaming terminal according to an exemplary modification ofan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing one example of a sub game selection screento be displayed on a display of a gaming terminal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing a control method of a gaming machineaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

Note that, in the present embodiment, a roulette game machine in which aplurality of players can participate and a playing method thereof willbe described as an example of a gaming machine. This roulette gamemachine has a plurality of gaming terminals that can be used by players.This roulette game machine is a stand-alone type game machine that isnot connected to an external network such as the Internet. However, thepresent invention is also applicable to a gaming machine that isconnected to an external network.

In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, a betting acceptingperiod and a game execution period are set previously for a roulettegame which is a main game to be executed. The betting accepting periodis a period during which it is possible to accept betting from eachgaming terminal 4. The game execution period is a period during which aroulette game is executed after the betting accepting period.

Besides a main game, the gaming machine 1 executes a sub game related toa main game. This sub game is one in which the player(s) who is notbetting on the main game can participate, during the game executionperiod of the main game. More specifically, in the case where the maingame is a roulette game, this sub game is a game for betting on “would aball fall into a pocket number 00 or not?” or “would a total payout ofall participants of the roulette game be greater than 1000 chips ornot?” and so on. The gaming machine 1 may determine which game is to beexecuted by the player. Also, the player himself may select the sub gamethat he wishes to play among a plurality of sub games. This sub gamewill be executed after the betting accepting period of the main game isended.

In the present embodiment, in the course of the game as described above,the betting of the game media in the roulette game will be acceptedduring the betting accepting period at a plurality of gaming terminals 4(step S101). Then, whether the betting acceptance in the roulette gameis ended or not is judged (step S102). When it is judged that thebetting acceptance is not ended, the processing returns to the stepS101, and the betting on the roulette game will be accepted. On theother hand, when it is judged that the betting acceptance in theroulette game is ended, or more specifically, when it is in the gameexecution period, the gaming machine 1 proceeds with the roulette game(step S103). Here, the game media are cash, chips, medals, etc., thatare used at the gaming machine 1.

When the betting accepting period in the roulette game is ended, thebetting on the sub game will be accepted at the gaming terminals 4 (stepS104). At this point, the gaming machine 1 displays the options andpayout rates of the sub game at the gaming terminals 4 (step S105). Theoptions are targets of betting on the sub game and related to a resultof the roulette game (main game). The payout rate is payout credits perone gaming media when the bet gaming media wins. For example, in thecase where the sub game is a game for betting on “would a ball fall intoa pocket number 00 or not?” or “would a total payout of all participantsof the roulette game be greater than 1000 chips or not?”, the optionswill be “YES” or “NO”.

When the betting information is determined at the gaming terminal 4, thebetting information is transmitted to the server 13. The server 13receives the betting information from the gaming terminal 4 (step S106).

Next, whether the roulette game is over or not is judged (step S107). Inthe case where it is judged that the roulette game is not over, theprocessing returns to the step S104. Then, the gaming machine 1 willaccept the betting of the game media to the sub game from the gamingterminal 4 that is not participating in the roulette game.

On the other hand, in the case where it is judged that the roulette gameis over, the result of the roulette game is acquired (step S108). Here,the result of the roulette game is a pocket number into which the ball27 fell. Next, the gaming machine 1 determines the winning option of thesub game according to the result of the roulette game acquired at thestep S108. For example, in the case where the sub game is a game forpredicting “would a ball fall into a pocket number 00 or not?”, thewinning option is determined according to whether the roulette gameresult of the step S108 is “00” or not. On the other hand, in the casewhere the sub game is a game for predicting “would a total payout of allparticipants of the roulette game be greater than 1000 chips or not?”,the total payout to all the players who bet in the roulette game iscalculated, and the winning option is determined according to thatresult. In addition, the payout credit for the betting on the winningoption in the sub game is calculated according to the game result of thestep S108. In addition, the gaming machine 1 transmits the calculatedpayout credit to each gaming terminal 4 (step S109).

In this way, according to the present embodiment, the sub game will bestarted to the player(s) who is not betting on the main game after thebetting accepting period of the main game is ended. Namely, in thepresent embodiment, it is possible to provide an opportunity to play toeven the player(s) who could not participate in the main game, byproviding the sub game that is related to the main game to the player(s)who joined during a period when the betting on the main game cannot beplaced.

Also, since the payout rate is previously displayed, the player canenjoy the game by predicting whether the betting to the sub game willwin or not while watching the payout rate of the option.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the gaming terminal used in the controlmethod of the gaming machine of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view ofan outward appearance showing a schematic configuration of the roulettegame machine according to the embodiment of the present invention whichhas the gaming terminal of FIG. 2.

The gaming terminal 4 shown in FIG. 2 is provided in plurality at theroulette game machine 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3(corresponding to the gaming machine of the present invention). Besidesthese, the roulette game machine 1 has a roulette device 2(corresponding to the game execution device of the present invention)and a server 13. The gaming terminals 4, the roulette device 2 and theserver 13 can be connected by a local area network or the like.

At the roulette device 2, the roulette game will be executed under thecontrol of the server 13, and the game will be displayed to the players.The players use a plurality of gaming terminals 4 that are arrangedaround the roulette device 2, in order to participate in the roulettegame displayed by the roulette device 2. In the present embodiment, theroulette game machine 1 has nine gaming terminals 4. Consequently, atmost nine players can participate in the communal roulette gamesimultaneously.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a roulette device provided in a roulette gamemachine of FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 4, the roulette device 2 has a frame 21, and a roulettewheel 22 which is accommodated and supported rotatably inside the frame21. On an upper surface of the roulette wheel 22, a plurality (38 intotal in the present embodiment) of number pockets 23 is formed. Inaddition, on an upper surface of the roulette wheel 22 on an outer sideof the number pockets 23, number plates 25 are provided for displayingnumbers “0”, “00”, “1” to “36” in correspondence to the respectivenumber pockets 23.

A ball entering hole 36 is opened on the inner periphery of the frame21. The ball entering hole 36 is connected to a ball entering device 104(see FIG. 10). In conjunction with the activation of the ball enteringdevice 104, a ball 27 will be entered onto the roulette wheel 22 fromthe ball entering hole 36. Also, a hemispherical transparent acryliccover 28 covers over the roulette device 2 (see FIG. 3).

A wheel driving motor 106 (see FIG. 10) is provided on a lower side ofthe roulette wheel 22. In conjunction with the activation of the wheeldriving motor 106, the roulette wheel 22 will be rotated. Metal plates(not shown) are attached at prescribed intervals on a lower surface ofthe roulette wheel 22. As a proximity sensor of a pocket positiondetection circuit 107 (see FIG. 10) detects these metal plates, aposition of the number pocket 23 is detected.

The frame 21 is gently inclined toward an inner side, and a guide wall29 is formed on its middle section. The entered ball 27 is rolled bybeing guided by the guide wall 29 due to its centrifugal force. The ball27 rolls down the slope of the frame 21 toward the inner side as therotational speed decreases and the centrifugal force becomes weaker, andreaches to the rotating roulette wheel 22. Then, the ball 27 thatreached to the roulette wheel 22 further falls into one of the numberpockets 23 by passing over the number plates 25 on an outer side of therotating roulette wheel 22. As a result, the number on the number plate25 of the number pocket 23 into which the ball fell is judged by a ballsensor 105, and this number will become a winning number.

The rotation of the roulette wheel 22 and the shooting of the ball 27are controlled according to a control data. FIG. 5 is a diagram showingan exemplary control data.

As shown in FIG. 5, six control data 1 to 6 are provided in the presentembodiment. Each of the control data 1 to 6 contains a motor drivingtime, a ball initial speed, and a shooting delay time.

The motor driving time is a time for activating the wheel driving motor106 (see FIG. 10). The roulette wheel 22 is rotated at a prescribedrotational speed by the wheel driving motor 106 for duration of themotor driving time. Note that after the activation of the wheel drivingmotor 106 is released, the rotational speed of the roulette wheel 22will gradually decrease and come to stop eventually. The ball initialspeed is an initial speed at a time of shooting the ball 27 by the ballentering device 104. The shooting delay time is a time since aprescribed number pocket 23 passes a prescribed position until the ballis shot while the roulette wheel 22 is rotated.

The control data 1 to 6 to be referred in each game at a time ofcontrolling the rotation of the roulette wheel 22 and the shooting ofthe ball 27 are switched whenever a prescribed condition is met.

Here, the control data to be referred will be switched whenever itbecomes a prescribed time (0-th minute of each hour, for example). Inthe present embodiment, the case where the control data are switchedwhenever it becomes a prescribed time will be described, but theprescribed condition is not limited to this case. For example, theprescribed condition can be a case where the ball 27 fell into aspecific number pocket consecutively for a prescribed number of times, acase where the ball 27 fell into any of number pockets 23 of the samegroup (region) consecutively for a prescribed number of times, a casewhere a prescribed bonus (a mystery bonus or jackpot, for example)occurs, a case where the amount of chips bet on numbers belonging to aprescribed group reaches to a prescribed amount, a case where the amountof chips to be paid for the bets on numbers belonging to a prescribedgroup reaches to a prescribed amount, etc.

In the above described example, the case where the control data isformed by the motor driving time, the ball initial speed and theshooting delay time has been described, but the control data are notlimited to this case. The control data may be data containing any ofdata regarding a rotation control of the roulette wheel 22 (the motordriving time), data regarding a timing for shooting the ball 27 (theshooting delay time), and data regarding an initial speed for shootingthe ball 27 (the ball initial speed) or their combination. As the dataregarding the rotation control of the roulette wheel 22, it is possibleto use the rotation speed of the roulette wheel 22, for example, besidesthe motor driving time.

Next, the configuration of the gaming terminal 4 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the gaming terminal 4 has a medal insertion slot 7for inserting game media (currency value: such as cash, a chip, a medal,etc.) and a display 8 for displaying images related to the game on itsupper face. The gaming terminal 4 accepts the betting operation by theplayer by using the medal insertion slot 7 and the display 8. The playercan play the game by operating the touchscreen 50 (see FIG. 10) or thelike that is provided on a front face of the display 8 while watchingthe images displayed on the display 8. Note that, in the followingdescription, the game media may be referred as their representative“medals”.

Also, besides the medal insertion slot 7 and the display 8 describedabove, a payout button 5, a ticket printer 6, a bill insertion slot 9,and a speaker 10 are provided on an upper face of the gaming terminal 4.A medal payout opening 12 and a medal tray 14 are provided in a frontface of the gaming terminal 4.

The payout button 5 is a button for inputting a command for paying outcredited medals from the medal payout opening 12 to the medal tray 14.The ticket printer 6 prints out as the bar code ticket including thedata such as the credits, the date, and the identification number of thegaming terminal 4. The player can use the bar code ticket at anothergaming terminal 4 and the player can bet to the game at that gamingterminal 4. Or the player can exchange the bar code ticket to bills orthe like at a prescribed location (a cashier in the casino, for example)in the gaming facility.

The bill insertion slot 9 judges whether the legitimacy of the bills,and accepts the legitimate bills. Note that the bill insertion slot 9can read the bar code ticket 39. The speaker 10 outputs music, effectsounds and the like.

On an upper side of the display 8 of each gaming terminal 4, a WIN lamp11 is provided respectively. In the case where the number (“0”, “00” and“1” to “36” in the present embodiment) bet at the gaming terminal 4 inthe game becomes the winning number, the WIN lamp 11 of the winninggaming terminal 4 will be turned on. Also, in the jackpot (referredhereafter also as JP) bonus game for obtaining JP, the WIN lamp 11 ofthe gaming terminal 4 that obtained JP will be turned on similarly. Notethat this WIN lamp 11 provided at a position that is visible from all ofthe arranged gaming terminals 4 (9 sets in the present embodiment), suchthat the other players who are playing at the same roulette game machine1 can always check which WIN lamp 11 is turned on.

Inside the medal insertion slot 7, a medal sensor (not shown) isprovided, and it identifies the currency values such as medals that areinserted at the medal insertion slot 7, and counts the inserted medals.Also, a hopper (not shown) is provided inside the medal payout opening12 and it pays a prescribed number of medals from the medal payoutopening 12.

Note that, in the roulette game machine 1 according to the presentembodiment, three types of JP including “MEGA”, “MAJOR” and “MINI” areprovided. In the case of “MEGA” JP, 0.15% of the credits bet in the gameat all the gaming terminals 4 will be accumulated and stored. In thecase of “MAJOR” JP, 0.20% of the bet credits will be accumulated andstored. In the case of “MINI” JP, 0.30% of the bet credits will beaccumulated and stored. Then, in the case where any one of JP is won inthe JP bonus game to be described below, the credits that areaccumulated for the corresponding JP will be paid to a prescribed gamingterminal 4. The JP amount display 15 displays the accumulated creditsfor “MEGA” JP among three types of JP. Note that the JP amount display15 is provided at a top of the electroluminescence display 5, such thatits display content is visible from all the players who are playing atthe gaming terminals 4.

FIG. 6 shows one example of an image to be displayed on the display 8.

As shown in FIG. 6, during the roulette game, a bet screen 61 having abetting board 60 is displayed on the display 8. The player can place abet by operating a touchscreen 50 (see FIG. 10) provided on a frontsurface of the display 8, by using own chips (that are credited as anelectronic information at the gaming terminal 4).

First, the bet screen 61 displayed on the bet screen 61 during theroulette game will be described according to FIG. 6. On the bettingboard 60, 38 types of numbers “0”, “00” and “1” to “36” are arranged anddisplayed in lattice shaped grids. Also, special bet areas for bettingchips by specifying “odd, even numbers”, “a color of the number plate(red or black)”, or “a range of numbers (“1” to “12”, for example)” aresimilarly arranged in lattice shaped grids.

On the lower side of the betting board 60, a bet confirmation button 65,bet buttons 66, a payout counter 67 and a credit counter 68 aredisplayed.

The bet buttons 66 are buttons for betting chips on a bet area 72 (onthe grids of the numbers and the marks or on the lines forming grids)specified by the player. The bet buttons 66 comprise four typesincluding a 1 bet button 66A, 5 bet button 66B, 10 bet button 66C, and100 bet button 66D.

The player specifies a betting position with a cursor 70 by directlytouching the bet area 72 on the display 8 by a finger or the like. Bytouching the 1 bet button 66A once in this state, the player can bet onechip (each time the 1 bet button 66A is touched, the number of betsincreases in the order of “1”-->“2”-->“3”--> . . . ). Also, by touchingthe 5 bet button 66B once in this state, the player can bet five chips(each time the 5 bet button 66B is touched, the number of bets increasesin the order of “5”-->“10”-->“15”--> . . . ). Also, by touching the 10bet button 66C once in this state, the player can bet ten chips (eachtime the bet button 66C is touched, the number of bets increases in theorder of “10”-->“20”-->“30”--> . . . ). Also, by touching the 100 betbutton 66D once in this state, the player can bet one hundred chips(each time the 100 bet button 66D is touched, the number of betsincreases in the order of “100”-->“200”-->“300”--> . . . ).

After the above described betting operation, the betting content will beconfirmed as the player touches the bet confirmation button 65.Consequently, the betting content can be corrected if it is beforetouching the bet confirmation button 65.

The payout counter 67 displays the number of bet chips and the payoutcredit in the last game. Here, the number to be obtained by subtractingthe number of bet chips from the payout credit is the newly obtainedcredit by the player in the last game.

The credit counter 68 displays the current credits owned by the player.The credits will be decreased according to the number of bets (onecredit for one bet). Also, when the payout of credits is provided bywinning, the credits will be increased as much as the payout credit.Note that when the owned credit by the player becomes zero, the game isover.

Also, a bet time counter 69 is provided on the upper portion of thebetting board 60. The bet time counter 69 displays a remaining time inwhich the players can bet within the betting accepting period that isset previously. On the bet time counter 69, “20” will be displayed atthe start of the betting accepting period, and this number isdecremented by one per each second. The acceptance of the betting isfinished when this number becomes “0”. Also, when the remaining timebecomes five seconds, the ball entering device is activated and the ball27 is entered onto the roulette wheel 22. When the betting acceptingperiod is ended, the game execution period is started.

When the betting accepting period is ended, the sub game bet screen 62(FIG. 17) will be displayed on the display 8 of the gaming terminal 4.Here, the sub game bet screen 62 will be displayed only at the gamingterminals 4 which did not participate in the roulette game (main game).

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of theroulette game machine according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, the roulette game machine 1 has the server 13, theroulette device 2 and a plurality (9 sets in the present embodiment) ofthe gaming terminals 4. The roulette device 2 and the gaming terminals 4are connected to the server 13. Note that an internal configuration ofthe roulette device 2 and an internal configuration of the gamingterminal 4 will be described below in detail.

The server 13 has a server CPU 81 for executing the overall control, aROM 82, a RAM 83, a timer 84, a LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 32connected through a LCD driving circuit 85, and a keyboard 33.

The server CPU 81 carries out various processings according to inputsignals supplied from each gaming terminals 4, and data & programsstored in the ROM 82 & the RAM 83. Also, the server CPU 81 transmitscommand signals to the gaming terminals 4 according to the processingresults, to control each gaming terminal 4 by its initiative. Also, theserver CPU 81 transmits control signals to the roulette device 2, tocontrol the shooting of the ball 27 and the rotation of the roulettewheel 22.

The server CPU 81 sets up the betting accepting period and the gameexecution period previously for each roulette. The betting acceptingperiod is a period in which the betting of the game media on theroulette game at each gaming terminal 4 can be accepted. The gameexecution period is a period for executing the roulette game after thebetting accepting period. The server CPU 81 does not accept the bettingon the roulette game after the betting accepting period is ended.However, the server CPU 81 accepts the betting on the sub game of whichcontent is related to the roulette game (main game). The server CPU 81controls the betting accepting period and the game execution period foreach of the roulette game and the sub game. Also, the game executionperiod of each of the main game and the sub game may be set up to be anappropriate period. As long as the betting on the sub game is acceptedafter the ending of the betting accepting period for the main game, thebetting accepting periods and the game execution periods may be set upat any timing. More specifically, as described above, the roulette gamemay be started as the roulette ball is shot five seconds before the endof the betting accepting period.

The ROM 82 is formed by a semiconductor memory or the like and storesprograms that implement basic functions of the roulette game machine 1,programs that execute the notification of the maintenance time and thesetting & management of the notification condition, the payout rate datafor the roulette game & the sub game (the payout credits with respect tothe win per one chip), programs for controlling each gaming terminal 4,etc.

On the other hand, the RAM 83 temporarily stores the betting informationsupplied from each gaming terminal 4, the winning number of the roulettedevice 2 detected by the sensors, the accumulated JP credits, the dataregarding the result of the processing executed by the server CPU 81 forthe roulette game and the sub game, etc.

In addition, the timer 84 is connected to the server CPU 81. The timeinformation of the timer 84 is transmitted to the server CPU 81. Theserver CPU 81 executes the control of the rotation of the roulette wheel22 and the shooting of the ball 27 based on the time information of thetimer 84.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the memory region of the ROM ofthe roulette game machine according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8, a roulette game payout memory area 82A and a subgame payout memory area 82B are secured in the ROM 82. The roulette gamepayout memory area 82A stores the payout rates regarding the roulettegame. Note that the payout rates with respect to each bet area 72 storedin the roulette game payout memory area 82A are determined previously asrates of “×2” to “×36” depending on the types of the betting (“straightbet”, “cornet bet”, “split bet”, etc.).

In the sub game payout memory area 82B, the payout data related tooptions to be bet in the sub game are stored. The content of the subgame is related to the main game (roulette game). For example, the subgame can be a game for predicting the pocket number into which the ball27 will fall in the roulette game, a game for predicting whether a totalbet of all the players participating in the roulette game is higher thana prescribed value or lower, a game for predicting whether a totalpayout to all the players participating in the roulette game is higherthan a prescribed value or lower, etc.

Here, the case in which the sub game is a game for predicting the pocketnumber into which the ball 27 will fall in the roulette game will bedescribed. In this case, the options to be bet by the players and thepayout rates with respect to the options are stored in correspondence inthe sub game payout memory area 82B. For example, in the payout data ofthe sub game payout memory area 82B, the payout rate of “×10” is set forthe option “00 or 0” as the pocket number into which the ball will fall.Similarly, in the payout data of the sub game payout memory area 82B,the payout rate “×2” is set for the options “1 to 6” and “13 to 18”, thepayout rate “×3” is set for the options “19 to 24” and “25 to 30”, andthe payout rate “×5” is set for the options “7 to 12” and “31 to 36”.

In the present embodiment, the payout data is stored in the ROM 82 sothat it is handled as a fixed value, but it is not limited to thisembodiment. For example, the payout data may be stored in the RAM 83such that the payout rate is varies randomly. Also, the payout rate maybe calculated dynamically depending on the progress of the roulette gameor the deviation of the winning pockets.

Also, in the sub game payout memory area 82B, the payout data for aplurality of sub games may be stored. In this case, the sub game to beplayed by the players who could not participate in the roulette game maybe selected by the server 13, or may be selected by the players.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the memory region of the RAM ofthe roulette game machine according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 9, a betting information memory area 83A, a winningnumber memory area 83B, a “MINI” JP credit memory area 83C, a “MAJOR” JPcredit memory area 83D, a “MEGA” JP credit memory area 83E, a sub gamewinning option memory area 83F, and a sub game betting period flagmemory area 83G are secured in the RAM 83. The betting informationmemory area 83A stores the betting information of the currently playingplayers. The players here include those players who are participating inthe roulette game which is the main game and those players who areparticipating in the sub game. The winning number memory area 83B storesthe winning number of the roulette device 2 detected by the ball sensor105. The “MINI” JP credit memory area 83C stores the credits accumulatedfor the “MINI” JP. The “MAJOR” JP accumulated credits memory area 83Dstores the credits accumulated for the “MAJOR” JP. The “MEGA” JPaccumulated credits memory area 83E stores the credits accumulated forthe “MEGA” JP. The sub game winning option memory area 83F stores thewinning option of the sub game. The winning option of the sub game isdetermined in relation to the result of the roulette game stored in thewinning number memory 83B or the payout of the roulette game. Thewinning option of the sub game is any one of the options in the payoutdata stored in the winning number memory area 83B of FIG. 8. The subgame betting period flag memory area 83G stores a flag indicatingwhether the betting on the sub game is acceptable or not. This sub gamebetting period flag is normally set to be off. When the bettingaccepting period for the roulette game is ended, the sub game bettingperiod flag is set to be on. When it becomes a timing at which thebetting on the sub game becomes impossible, the sub game betting periodflag is set to be off. The server CPU 81 accepts a request for startingthe sub game from the gaming terminal 4 while proceeding with the usualroulette game. When this request is accepted, the server CPU 81 startsthe interruption processing for the purpose of the sub game execution,and the sub game will be executed only while the sub game betting periodflag is on.

Note that the game betting information is information regarding thebetting by the player in the roulette game and the sub game. The gamebetting information regarding the roulette game is specificallyinformation regarding the betting at the gaming terminals 4 such as thebet area 72 (see FIG. 6) specified on the bet screen 61, the number ofchips which are bet (the number of bets), and the types of bets. Thegame betting information regarding the sub game is specifically aninformation regarding the betting at the other gaming terminals 4 suchas the option specified at the sub game bet screen 62 and the number ofchips which are bet (the number of bets).

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of theroulette device according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 10, the roulette device 2 has a controller 109, thepocket position detection circuit 107, the ball entering device 104, theball sensor 105, the wheel driving motor 106, and a ball collectingdevice 108.

The controller 109 has a CPU 101, a ROM 102, and a RAM 103. The CPU 101controls the shooting of the ball 27 and the rotation of the roulettewheel 22 according to the control signals supplied from the server 13,and data & programs stored in the ROM 102 & the RAM 103. In the RAM 103,one of the control data 1 to 6 in the ROM 102 that is to be referred ata time of rotating the roulette wheel 22 and shooting the ball 27 isstored.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a memory region of the ROM of theroulette device according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 11, in the ROM 102, the control data memory areas 102Ato 102F are secured, and the control data 1 to 6 shown in FIG. 5 arestored. Also, in the ROM 102, default control data to be referred at atime of the rotation of the roulette wheel 22 and the shooting of theball 27 immediately after the activation of the roulette game machine 1are stored.

The pocket position detection circuit 107 has a proximity sensor. Itdetects the rotation position of the roulette wheel 22 by detectingmetal plates attached to the roulette wheel 22.

The ball entering device 104 is for entering the ball 27 onto theroulette wheel 22 from the ball entering hole 36 (see FIG. 4). The ballentering device 104 shoots the ball 27 at the initial speed set in thecontrol data. Also, the ball entering device 104 shoots the ball 27 attiming according to the shooting delay time set in the control data.Namely, after the shooting delay time has elapsed since it is detectedthat a prescribed number pocket 23 (“00”, for example) has passed aprescribed position (in front of the ball entering hole 36, for example)by the pocket position detection circuit 107, the ball 27 will be shot.

The ball sensor 105 is a device for detecting the number pocket 23 intowhich the ball 27 fell. The wheel driving motor 106 is for rotating theroulette wheel 22. The wheel driving motor 106 stops the activationafter the motor driving time that is set in the control data has elapsedsince the start of the activation. The ball collecting device 108 is forcollecting the ball 27 on the roulette wheel 22 after the game is over.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of thegaming terminal according to the present embodiment. Note that 9 sets ofthe gaming terminals 4 have basically the same configuration, and anexample of one gaming terminal 4 will be described in the following.

As shown in FIG. 12, the gaming terminal 4 has a terminal controller 90formed by a terminal CPU 91, a ROM 92 and a RAM 93. The ROM 92 is formedby a semiconductor memory or the like and stores programs that implementbasic functions of the gaming terminal 4, and various programs, datatable, etc., that are necessary for controlling the gaming terminal 4.Also, the RAM 93 is a memory for temporarily storing various datacalculated by the terminal CPU 91, the owned credits by the player(deposited at the gaming terminal 4), the state of betting by theplayer, a flag F for indicating that it is under the betting acceptingperiod or not, etc.

To the terminal CPU 91, a payout button 5 is connected. The payoutbutton 5 is a button to be pressed by the player usually when the gameis over. When the payout button 5 is pressed by the player, the medalsaccording to the credits acquired in the game by the player will be paidfrom the medal payout opening 12 (usually one medal for one credit).

The terminal CPU 91 executes various corresponding operations accordingto the operation signals outputted by the payout button 5 as a result ofpressing of the payout button 5. More specifically, the terminal CPU 91executes various processings when signals associated with the pressingof the bet confirmation button 65 is inputted, according to the inputsignals and data & programs stored in the ROM 92 & the RAM 93. Theterminal CPU 91 transmits their processing results to the server CPU 81.

Also, the terminal CPU 91 receives command signals from the sever CPU 81and controls peripheral devices constituting the gaming terminal 4, soas to proceed with the game. Also, the terminal CPU 91 executes variousprocessings according to the above described input signals and data &programs stored in the ROM 92 & the RAM 93, depending on the processingcontents. The terminal CPU 91 controls the peripheral devicesconstituting the gaming terminal 4 according to the processing results,so as to proceed with the game.

Also, a hopper 94 is connected to the terminal CPU 91. The hopper 94pays a prescribed number of medals from the medal payout opening 12 (seeFIG. 2) according to a command signal from the terminal CPU 91.

In addition, the display 8 is connected to the terminal CPU 91 through aLCD driving circuit 95. The LCD driving circuit 95 has a program ROM, animage ROM, an image control CPU, a work RAM, VDP (Video DisplayProcessor), and a video RAM. The program ROM stores an image controllingprogram and various selection tables regarding the display at thedisplay 8. The image ROM stores dot data for forming an image to bedisplayed at the display 8, for example. The image control CPU makes thedetermination of an image to be displayed at the display 8 from the dotdata in the image ROM, according to the image control program in theprogram ROM, based on parameters set up by the terminal CPU 91. The workRAM is provided as a temporary memory device at a time of executing theimage control program at the image control CPU. The VDP forms a displayimage determined by the image control CPU and outputs it to the display8. Note that the video RAM is provided as a temporary memory device at atime of forming an image by the VDP.

Also, the touchscreen 50 is attached on the front surface of the display8. The operation information of the touchscreen 50 is transmitted to theterminal CPU 91. At the touchscreen 50, the betting operation by theplayer is carried out on the bet screen 61 or the sub game bet screen62. More specifically, the operation of the touchscreen 50 on the betscreen 61 is carried out for the selection of the bet area 72 and theinput via the bet buttons 66 and the bet confirmation button 65, etc.The operation of the touchscreen 50 on the sub game bet screen 62 iscarried out for the selection of the options and the input via the betbuttons 66 and the bet confirmation button 65, etc. When the touchscreen50 is operated, its operation information is transmitted to the terminalCPU 91. Then, according to that information, the betting information(the bet area and the number of bets specified on the bet screen 61, orthe option and the number of bets specified on the sub game bet screen62) is stored into the RAM 93. In addition, this betting information istransmitted to the server CPU 81, and stored in the betting informationmemory area of the RAM 83.

In addition, a sound output circuit 96 and a speaker 10 are connected tothe terminal CPU 91. The speaker 10 generates various effect sounds at atime of making various effects according to the output signals from thesound output circuit 96.

Also, a medal sensor 97 is connected to the terminal CPU 91. The medalsensor 97 detects medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 7 (seeFIG. 2). At the same time, the medal sensor 97 counts the insertedmedals, and transmits its result to the terminal CPU 91. The terminalCPU 91 increases the amount of credits of the player that is stored inthe RAM 93 according to the transmitted signal.

Also, a WIN lamp 11 is connected to the terminal CPU 91. The terminalCPU 91 turns on the WIN lamp 11 in a prescribed color, when the bet onthe bet screen 61 or the sub game bet screen 62 won or when the JP iswon.

In the above described configuration, the server CPU 81, the ROM 82, theRAM 83, the terminal CPU 91, the ROM 92, the RAM 93, the CPU 101, theROM 102, and the RAM 103 constitute a controller.

Next, the server gaming processing executed by the server CPU 81, thegaming terminal gaming processing executed by the terminal CPU 91, andthe gaming processing executed by the CPU 101 of the roulette gamemachine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described withreferences to FIG. 13 to FIG. 15. FIG. 13 to FIG. 15 are flow chartsshowing the gaming processing of the roulette game in the roulette gamemachine according to the present embodiment.

First, the gaming processing of the gaming terminal will be describedaccording to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14. The terminal CPU 91 judges whether anymedals or coins are entered by the player or not according to thedetection signal of the medal sensor 97 (step S10). In the case where itis judged that the medals or coins are not entered (step S10: NO), theprocessing of the step S10 is repeated until it is judged that it isentered.

On the other hand, in the case where it is judged that the medals orcoins are entered (step S10: YES), the terminal CPU 91 adds the creditsaccording to the number of medals or coins entered (step S11). In thisprocessing, the terminal CPU 91 stores the credit data corresponding tothe entered medals or coins into the RAM 93. Next, the terminal CPU 91transmits a medal detection signal to the server 13 (step S12).

After that, the terminal CPU 91 displays the bet screen 61 shown in FIG.6 on the display 8 of the gaming terminal 4 (step S13). Then, theterminal CPU 91 starts the measurement of the betting accepting periodduring which the bet can be placed (step S14). The player can bet on thebet area 72 predicted by the player (see FIG. 6), by operating thetouchscreen 50 during the betting accepting period. It is also possiblefor the player to participate in a middle of the game for which thebetting accepting period has already started. However, the betting onthe roulette game cannot be placed when the betting accepting period isended. In the roulette game machine 1 according to the presentembodiment, at most 9 persons can play the game. In addition, in thecase where the current game is to be executed in succession to the lastgame, the acceptance of the betting operation will start immediatelyafter the last game is over.

Next, the terminal CPU 91 receives the betting accepting period endsignal indicating that the betting accepting period has ended from theserver CPU 81 (step S15). As a result, the terminal CPU 91 displays animage indicating that the betting accepting period has ended on thedisplay 8 of the gaming terminal 4, and finishes accepting the bettingoperation on the touchscreen 50 (step S16).

After that, the terminal CPU 91 transmits the betting information (thespecified bet area 72, the bet number, and the type of betting) to theserver 13 (step S17).

Next, the terminal CPU 91 receives a result of the processing fordetermining the JP bonus game which is executed by the server CPU 81,from the server 13 (FIG. 14: step 18). The JP determination resultcontains information as to whether or not to execute a JP bonus game ateach gaming terminal 4. In the case of executing the JP bonus game, thedetermination result also contains information as to which gamingterminal 4 should win the JP (or all the gaming terminals 4 should lose)as well as which JP (“MEGA”, “MAJOR”, “MINI”) should be won in the caseof having the JP won.

After that, the terminal CPU 91 judges whether or not to execute the JPbonus game according to the result of the JP determination processingreceived at the step S18 (step S19). In the case where it is judged thatthe JP bonus game is not to be executed (step S19: NO), the processingproceeds to the step S21.

On the other hand, in the case where it is judged that the JP bonus gameis to be executed (step S19: YES), the terminal CPU 91 executes theprescribed selection-type JP bonus game and its game result (whether theJP is won or not) is displayed on the display 8 according to thedetermination result received at the step S19 (step S20). After that,the processing proceeds to the step S21.

The terminal CPU 91 receives the credit payout result transmitted fromthe server CPU 81 (step S21). The credit payout result comprises thepayout result of the normal game and the payout result of the JP bonusgame.

Next, the terminal CPU 91 payouts the credits according to the payoutresult received at the step S21 (step S22). More specifically, theterminal CPU 91 stores the credit data corresponding to the payout andthe credit data corresponding to the payout of the accumulated JP (inthe case where the JP is won) into the RAM 93. Then, when the payoutbutton 48 is pressed, the medals corresponding to the credits stored inthe RAM 93 (usually one medal for one credit) will be paid from themedal payout opening 9.

After that, in the case where the gaming is to be continued at any ofthe gaming terminal 4, the processing is returned to the step S13. Thebetting accepting period is started again, and a shift to the next gameis made. On the other hand, in the case where the gaming is to befinished at all the gaming terminals 4, the gaming processing isterminated.

Next, the gaming processing of the server will be described withreferences to FIG. 13 to FIG. 15. First, the server CPU 81 receives themedal detection signal transmitted from the terminal CPU 91, and judgeswhether the medals or coins are entered by the player or not (step S30).In the roulette game machine 1 according to the present embodiment, whenthe medals or coins are entered at any of the gaming terminals 4, themedal detection signal is transmitted to the server CPU 81 from theterminal CPU 91 of the gaming terminal 4 at which the medals or coinsare entered.

Next, the server CPU 81 starts the measurement of the betting acceptingperiod from a timing at which the medals or coins are entered by thefirst participating player (step S31). The betting accepting period is aperiod during which a bet in the roulette game can be placed. The playerwho is participating in the game can bet on the bet area 72 predicted bythe player by operating the touchscreen 50 during the betting acceptingperiod.

Next, the server CPU 81 judges whether the remaining betting acceptingperiod has become 5 seconds or not (step S32). The remaining bettingaccepting period is displayed on the bet time counter 69 (see FIG. 6).In the case where it is judged that it has not reached the last 5seconds (step S32: NO), this processing will be repeated.

On the other hand, in the case where it is judged that it has reachedthe last 5 seconds (step S32: YES), the server CPU 81 transmits thecontrol signal for starting the operation of the roulette device 2 tothe CPU 101 (step S33).

After that, the server CPU 81 judges whether the betting acceptingperiod of the roulette game has ended or not (step S34). In the casewhere it is judged that the betting accepting period has not ended (stepS34: NO), the processing will be repeated.

On the other hand, in the case where it is judged that the bettingaccepting period of the roulette game has ended (step S34: YES), theserver CPU 81 transmits the betting accepting period end signal to theterminal CPU 91 (step S35). By receiving this end signal, the terminalCPU 91 ends the acceptance of the betting operation at the gamingterminal 4. At this point, the server CPU 81 sets the sub game bettingperiod flag of the sub game betting period flag memory area 83G in theRAM 83 ON (step S36). In the case where the sub game betting period flagis ON, it becomes possible to accept the betting on the sub game by theinterruption processing from the gaming terminal 4 which did notparticipate in the roulette game.

Next, the server CPU 81 receives the betting information (the specifiedbet area 72, the bet number, and the type of betting) at each gamingterminal 4 from the terminal CPU 91, and stores it into the bettinginformation memory area 83A of the RAM 83.

After that, the server CPU 81 executes the JP accumulation processingaccording to the total credits bet at all the gaming terminals that arereceived at the step S37 (step S38).

Next, the server CPU 81 executes the JP determination processing (FIG.14: step S39). In this processing, the server CPU 81 determines whetherto execute the JP bonus game about the roulette game at each gamingterminal 4 or not, by using a random number value sampled by a samplingcircuit or the like. In addition, the server CPU 81 determines whichgaming terminal 4 is to win the JP (or all the gaming terminals 4 are tolose) in the case where it is determined to execute the JP bonus game.Also, the server CPU 81 determines which JP (“MEGA”, “MAJOR”, or “MINI”)is to be won in the case of having the JP won.

Next, the server CPU 81 transmits the JP determination result to eachgaming terminal 4, according to the processing of the step S39 (stepS40). After that, the server CPU 81 transmits a request signal for adetection signal of the ball sensor 105 to the roulette device 2 (stepS41).

Then, when the result of the sub game related to the roulette game isascertained, the server CPU 81 sets the sub game betting period flag OFF(step S42). In the present embodiment, the sub game for predicting“which pocket number does the ball fall into?” is carried out, so that atiming for setting the sub game betting period flag OFF is set to bebefore the ball 27 stops within the number pocket 23 completely.

In response to the request for the detection signal of the ball sensorthat is transmitted at the step S41, the roulette device 2 transmits thedetection signal of the ball sensor 105 to the server CPU 81. Then, theserver CPU 81 receives the detection signal (step S43).

Then, the server CPU 81 judges which number pocket 23 has the ball 27fell into (step S44). Next, the server CPU 81 judges whether the betplaced at each gaming terminal 4 has won or not, based on the bettinginformation of each gaming terminal 4 received at the step S36 and thenumber pocket judged at the step S44 (step S45).

After that, the server CPU 81 executes the payout calculation processingfor the roulette game (step S46). In the payout calculation processing,the server CPU 81 firstly recognizes the number of winning bets for eachgaming terminal 4. Then, the server CPU 81 calculates the total payoutcredits for each gaming terminal 4 by using the payout rate (credits tobe paid per one bet) that is stored in the roulette game payout memoryarea 82A of the ROM 82.

Next, the server CPU 81 judges whether the bet placed at each gamingterminal 4 has won or not, based on the betting information of eachgaming terminal 4 for the sub game and the number pocket judged at thestep S44 (step S47).

In addition, the server CPU 81 executes the payout calculationprocessing for the sub game (step S48). In the payout calculationprocessing, the server CPU 81 first recognizes the number of winningbets for each gaming terminal 4. Then, the server CPU 81 calculates thetotal payout credits to be paid for each gaming terminal 4 by using thepayout rate (credits to be paid per one bet) of each option that isstored in the sub game payout memory area 82B of the ROM 82.

Next, the server CPU 81 executes the transmission processing of thecredit payout result according to the payout calculation processings ofthe steps S46 and S48 and the JP payout result according to the JP bonusgame determination processing of the step S39 (Step S49). Morespecifically, the server CPU 81 outputs the credit data corresponding tothe payout credits of the roulette game and the sub game to the terminalCPU 91 of the winning gaming terminal 4.

After that, the server CPU 81 activates the ball collecting device 108provided beneath the roulette wheel 22 by transmitting the controlsignal to the roulette device 2, and collects the ball 27 on theroulette wheel 22 (step S50). The collected ball 27 will be entered ontothe roulette wheel 22 again in the subsequent games.

Next, as shown in FIG. 15, the server CPU 81 executes a confirmationprocessing for confirming whether the condition for changing the controldata 1 to 6 used for the rotation of the roulette wheel 22 and theshooting of the ball 27 has been met or not (step S51). Then, the serverCPU 81 transmits the setting signal for requesting the setting of thecontrol data 1 to 6 to the CPU 101 of the roulette device 2 (step S52).

Here, specifically, the server CPU 81 judges whether a prescribed time(0-th minute of each hour, in the present embodiment) has passed or notin the confirmation processing of the step S51. In the case where it isconfirmed that the prescribed time has not passed yet, the server CPU 81transmits a control signal indicating that the condition for changing isnot met to the CPU 101 of the roulette device 2. On the other hand, inthe case where it is confirmed that the prescribed time has alreadypassed, the server CPU 81 transmits a control signal indicating that thecondition for changing is met to the CPU 101 of the roulette device 2.

Next, the server CPU 81 receives the control data 1 to 6 to be referredin the next game from the CPU 101 of the roulette device 2 and stores itin the RAM 83 (step S53). After the processing of the step S53, this subroutine will be terminated.

Here, the timing for setting the sub game betting period flag ON or OFFis not limited to the timing described with references to FIG. 13 toFIG. 15, and changed according to the types of the main game and the subgame. For example, in the case of the sub game for predicting “whichpocket number does the ball fall into?”, it is preferable to set thetiming for setting the sub game betting period flag OFF to be before thetiming at which the ball 27 stops in the number pocket 23 completely. Onthe other hand, in the case of the sub game for predicting “whether atotal payout amount to all the players participating in the roulettegame is greater than 1000 chips or not?”, the timing to set the sub gamebetting period flag OFF may be after the ball 27 stops in the numberpocket 23 completely as long as it is before the payout amounts for allthe players are displayed on the display 8. In this way, it ispreferable to set the timing for setting the sub game betting periodflag ON or OFF appropriately according to the type of the sub game.

Next, the gaming processing of the roulette device 2 will be describedwith references to FIGS. 13 to 15. Firstly, when the operation signalfrom the roulette device 2 is received from the server 13, the CPU 101rotates the roulette wheel 22 by driving the wheel driving motor 106 forthe motor driving time set in the current control data (step S60).

Then, the CPU 101 judges whether or not a prescribed time (20 seconds,for example) has elapsed since the rotation of the roulette wheel 22 hasstarted (step S61). In the case where it is judged that the prescribedtime has not elapsed (step S61: NO), this processing will be repeated.

On the other hand, in the case where it is judged that the prescribedtime has elapsed (step S61: YES), the CPU 101 judges whether a specificpocket 23 (“00”, for example) has passed a specific position (in frontof the ball entering hole 36, for example) or not by the pocket positiondetection circuit 107 (step S62). In the case where it is judged thatthe specific pocket 23 has not passed the specific position (step S62:NO), this processing will be repeated.

Also, in the case where it is judged that the specific pocket 23 haspassed the specific position (step S62: YES), the CPU 101 enters theball 27 by activating the ball entering device 104 after the delay timeset in the current control data has elapsed (step S63). At this point,the ball entering device 104 enters the ball 27 at the initial speed setin the control data.

After that, the CPU 101 receives the request signal described at thestep S41 from the server 13 (FIG. 14: step S64). In this way, the CPU101 transmits the detection signal of the ball sensor 105 to the server13 (step S65).

Next, as shown in FIG. 15, the CPU 101 receives the control data settingsignal transmitted from the server CPU 81 of the server 13 (step S66).Then, the CPU 101 determines one of the control data 1 to 6 to bereferred in the next game according to the received control data settingsignal (step S67).

Herein, in the case where the control data setting signal received atthe step S66 indicates that the control data changing condition has beenmet, the CPU 101 judges that it is necessary to change the control datato be referred in the next game. And the CPU 101 selects the controldata different from the current control data. Note that the CPU 101 usesa random number value sampled by the sampling circuit or the like toselect one of the control data 1 to 6 to be referred in the next game.

On the other hand, in the case where the control data setting signalreceived at the step S66 indicates that the changing condition is notmet, the CPU 101 judges that it is unnecessary to change the controldata to be referred in the next game, and refers to the current controldata in the next game.

Then, the CPU 101 transmits the control signal including one of thecontrol data 1 to 6 to be referred in the next game determined at thestep S67 to the server CPU 81 of the server 13 (step S68). After theprocessing of the step S68, this sub routine will be terminated.

Next, the server gaming processing executed by the server CPU 81 and thegaming terminal gaming processing executed by the terminal CPU 91 of theroulette game machine 1 according to the present embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 16. FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing thegaming processing of the sub game of the roulette game machine accordingto the present embodiment.

First, the gaming processing of the gaming terminal 4 will be describedaccording to FIG. 16. The gaming terminal 4 that executes eachprocessing shown in FIG. 16 is not betting on the roulette game (maingame).

First, according to the control of the server CPU 81, the terminal CPU91 displays the sub game bet screen 62 shown in FIG. 17, on the display8 of the gaming terminal 4 (step S201). This sub game bet screen 62 is ascreen for betting on the sub game of which content is related to themain game. Here, it is the screen for betting on the sub game, but thereare also cases where it is not necessary to bet credits.

On the sub game bet screen 62, the options in the sub game, the payoutrates of the options, and the bet buttons 63 for the options aredisplayed as set in relation to each other. The combination of theoptions, the payout rates and the bet buttons 63 are displayed as manyas the number of the options. In an example shown in FIG. 17, sevenoptions are shown. In addition, in correspondence with the options, thepayout rates and the bet buttons 63A to 63G are shown on the sub gamebet screen 62.

In addition, on this sub game bet screen 62, similarly as the bet screen61, a bet confirmation button 65, bet buttons 66, a payout counter 67and a credit counter 68 are displayed on the display 8. The bet buttons66 are buttons for betting on the options (bet buttons 63A to 63G)specified by the player. The bet buttons 66 comprise four typesincluding a 1 bet button 66A, 5 bet buttons 66B, 10 bet button 66C, and100 bet button 66D.

The player first specifies the option to be bet by touching the betbuttons 63A to 63G with a finger or the like. By touching the 1 betbutton 66A once in this state, the player can bet one chip (each timethe 1 bet button 66A is touched, the number of bets increases in theorder of “1”-->“2”-->“3”--> . . . ). Also, by touching the 5 bet button66B once in this state, the player can bet five chips (each time the 5bet button 66B is touched, the number of bets increases in the order of“15”-->“10”-->“15”--> . . . ). Also, by touching the 10 bet button 66Conce in this state, the player can bet ten chips (each time the 10 betbutton 66C is touched, the number of bets increases in the order of“10”-->“20”-->“30”--> . . . ). Also, by touching the 100 bet button 66Donce in this state, the player can bet one hundred chips (each time the100 bet button 66D is touched, the number of bets increases in the orderof “100”-->“200”-->“300”--> . . . ).

After the above described betting operation, the betting content in thesub game will be confirmed as the player touches the bet confirmationbutton 65. Consequently, the betting content can be corrected if it isbefore touching the bet confirmation button 65.

The payout counter 67 displays the number of bets and the payout creditsin the last game. Here, the number that can be obtained by subtractingthe number of bets from the payout credits is the credits obtained bythe player in the last game.

The credit counter 68 displays the number of credits currently owned bythe player. The credits will be decreased according to the number ofbets (one credit for one bet). Also, when the credits are paid out as aresult of the winning, the credits will be increased as much as thepayout credits. Note that when the credits owned by the player becomezero, the game is over.

When the sub game bet screen shown in FIG. 17 is displayed at the gamingterminal 4, the terminal CPU 91 starts accepting the bets on the subgame (step S202). During this period, the player can bet desired creditson the option of the sub game by touching the bet buttons 63A to 63G andthe bet buttons 66 as described above.

When the bet confirmation button 65 is touched, the terminal CPU 91transmits the bet number and the selected option on the sub game betscreen 62 as the betting information to the server 13 (step S203).

After that, according to the control of the server CPU 81, the terminalCPU 91 receives a signal that indicates the betting period for the subgame is ended from the server 13 (step S204). When the betting periodfor the sub game is ended, the terminal CPU 91 exits the display of thesub game bet screen 62 of FIG. 17 on the display 8 of the gamingterminal 4 (step S205).

Next, the gaming processing of the server regarding the sub game will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 16. The gaming processing of the servershown in FIG. 16 is processed in parallel to the gaming processing ofthe server regarding the main game described with references to FIG. 13to FIG. 15.

First, the server CPU 91 judges whether the sub game betting period flagstored in the sub game betting period flag memory area 83G of the RAM 83is ON or not (step S251). This sub game betting period flag is set bythe server CPU 91 during the main game described with references to FIG.13 to FIG. 15. The server CPU 91 sets this flag ON while it is possibleto bet on the sub game, and sets it OFF while it is not possible to bet.In the case where the sub game betting period flag is not ON, theprocessing waits until the sub game betting period flag becomes ON.

When the sub game betting period flag becomes ON, the server CPU 91displays the sub game bet screen 62 at the gaming terminal 4 (stepS252). More specifically, the server CPU 91 extracts the gamingterminals 4 at which the betting on the roulette game (main game) hasnot been placed, and transmits a command for displaying the sub game betscreen 62 shown in FIG. 17 to the extracted gaming terminals 4.

When the betting information entered at this sub game bet screen 62 istransmitted to the server 13, the server CPU 91 receives this bettinginformation from the gaming terminal 4 (step S253). In addition, theserver CPU 91 judges whether the sub game betting period flag is OFF ornot (step S254). In the case where the sub game betting period flag isnot OFF, the server CPU 91 returns the processing to the step S253 andwaits for a new betting information.

On the other hand, when it is judged that the sub game betting period isOFF, the server CPU 91 proceeds the processing to the step S255. Theserver CPU 91 transmits a command for exit the display of the sub gamebet screen 62 on the display 8 to the gaming terminal 4 (step S255).

As described, the gaming machine 1 and its playing method according tothe present embodiment, even when there is a period in which the playerscannot make bets during the execution of the main game offered by thegaming machine 1, the sub game of which content is related to the maingame is provided to those players who are not betting on the main gameduring that period. In this way, the waiting time of the players can beeliminated and a gaming machine in which players can make bets any timecan be provided. Also, it is easy to participate in the game so that itis possible to attract attentions of many players.

Also, the gaming machine 1 and its playing method according to thepresent embodiment provide a game of which content is related to themain game as the sub game, so that the interests of the players in themain game can be aroused. In this way, the gaming machine according tothe present embodiment can make it easier for many players toparticipate in main game, so that it is possible to provide livelygames.

Also, the gaming machine 1 and its playing method according to thepresent embodiment may allow the player to select a favorite sub gameamong a plurality of sub games and play it. In this way, the player canselect a game which is easier to participate, so that the player canparticipate in the game easily.

Also, the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, theperiod in which the bet on the sub game can be placed is judged by usingthe sub game betting period flag, but it is not limited to this method.Depending on the rules of the main game, the game execution period ofthe main game may be set as a period in which the betting on the maingame cannot be placed. In this case, this game execution period may beset as a period in which the betting on the sub game can be placed.Also, in the case where the sub game is a game for predicting the totalpayout amount of all the players who bet in the main game, it may bemade possible to bet in the sub game even when the result of the maingame is calculated, as long as the total payout amount of all theplayers is not notified.

Also, in the gaming machine 1 and its playing method according to thepresent embodiment, the options and the payout rates are displayed inthe sub game and the player can bet credits on these options. In thisway, the player can receive the payout according to the number ofcredits bet and the payout rate.

In this way, a period in which the bet on the sub game can be placed maybe changed arbitrarily according to the types of the main game and thesub game. By changing the timing for setting the sub game betting periodflag shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 ON or OFF, it is possible to deal withany types of the main game and the sub game.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been describedhereinabove, the embodiments are only showing specific examples, and donot particularly limit the present invention. Accordingly, the specificconfiguration of each means or the like can be modified in designappropriately. In addition, the effects described in the embodiments ofthe present invention are only listing the most preferable effects thatcan arise from the present invention. For this reason, the effectsproduced by the present invention are not limited to those described inthe embodiments of the present invention.

Also, in the detailed description above, the characteristic portions aremainly described in order to make the present invention easilyunderstandable. The present invention is not limited to the embodimentdescribed in the detailed description above, and can be applied to theother embodiments, and its range of application is wide. Also, the termsand the terminology used in the present specification are used only forthe purpose of explaining the present invention precisely, and not usedfor the purpose of limiting the interpretation of the present invention.Also, for those skilled in the art, it should be easy to contemplateother configurations, systems, methods, etc., that are contained in theconcept of the present invention, from the concept of the inventiondescribed in the present specification. Consequently, the description ofthe scope of claims should be construed as containing equivalentconfigurations within a range of not deviating from a range of thetechnical ideas of the present invention.

In addition, in the foregoing detail description, the characteristicportions of the present invention have been mainly described in order tomake the present invention easily understandable. The present inventionis not limited to the embodiments described above in the foregoingdetail description, and can be applied to other embodiments, and itsapplicable range is wide. Moreover, the terms and the terminology usedin the present specification are used for the purpose of preciselyexplaining the present invention, and not used for the purpose oflimiting interpretations of the present invention. Further, it should beeasy for those skilled in the art to contemplate other configurations,systems, methods, etc., which are included in the concept of the presentinvention, from the concept of the present invention described in thepresent specification. For this reason, the description of the appendedclaims must be construed as containing equivalent configurations withina range of not departing from a range of the technical ideas of thepresent invention.

Modified Embodiment

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing a control method of the gaming machine 1according to the modified case of the embodiment of the presentinvention. The gaming machine 1 according to the modified case of theembodiment of the present invention differs from the gaming machine 1according to the embodiment described above in that the payout rate ofthe sub game can be determined based on the player's operation. Namely,only the options in each sub game will be stored in the sub game winningoption memory area 83F of the RAM 83 of the gaming machine 1. The payoutrate of the sub game is not previously stored on the sub game payoutmemory area 82B of the ROM 82 in the server 13 (the sub game payoutmemory area 82B is not provided in this embodiment).

First, the betting of the game media in the roulette game will beaccepted during the betting accepting period at a plurality of gamingterminals 4 (step S301). Then, whether the betting acceptance on theroulette game is ended or not is judged (step S302). When it is judgedthat the betting acceptance is not ended, the processing returns to thestep S301 and the betting on the roulette game is accepted. On the otherhand, when it is judged that the betting acceptance on the roulette gameis ended (more specifically, when it is in the game execution period),the gaming machine 1 proceeds with the roulette game (step S303). Here,the game media are cash, chips, medals, etc., that are used at thegaming machine 1.

When the betting accepting period on the roulette game is ended, thebetting on the sub game will be accepted at a plurality of gamingterminals 4 (step S304). The gaming machine 1 displays the options atthe gaming terminals 4 at which the bettings on the roulette game hasnot been placed (step S305). The options are targets of the betting ofthe sub game and the contents of the options are related to a result ofthe roulette game.

Next, when the betting information is determined at the gaming terminal4, the betting information is transmitted to the server 13. The server13 receives the betting information from the gaming terminal 4 (stepS306). In addition, the server 13 determines the payout rate of theoption by a prescribed processing, and displays the payout rate on thedisplay 8 of the gaming terminal 4 (step S307). The payout rate may bedetermined by the gaming terminal 4. In this case, the gaming terminal 4transmits the payout rate to the server 13. The payout rate is payoutcredits per one gaming media when the bet gaming media wins.

Next, whether the roulette game is over or not is judged (step S308). Inthe case where it is judged that the roulette game is not over, theprocessing is returned to the step S304 and the betting on the sub gameat the gaming terminal 4 which is not participating in the roulette gameis accepted.

On the other hand, in the case where it is judged that the roulette gameis over, the result of the roulette game is acquired (step S309). Here,the result of the roulette game is a pocket number 23 into which theball 27 fell. Next, the gaming machine 1 determines the winning optionof the sub game according to the result of the roulette game acquired atthe step S309, and calculates the payout credits for this winningoption. In addition, the gaming machine 1 transmits the calculatedpayout credits to the gaming terminal 4 (step S310).

As described, according to the modified case of the present embodiment,the payout rate of the sub game is determined by a prescribedprocessing. In this way, it is possible to provide games with higherentertainment characteristics to the players.

Next, the server gaming processing executed by the server CPU 81 and thegaming terminal gaming processing executed by the terminal CPU 91 of theroulette game machine 1 according to the modified embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 19. FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing thegaming processing of the sub game according to this modified embodiment.

First, the gaming processing of the gaming terminal will be describedaccording to FIG. 19. The gaming terminal 4 that executes eachprocessing shown in FIG. 19 is not betting on the roulette game (maingame).

First, according to the control of the server CPU 81, the terminal CPU91 displays the sub game bet screen 62 a shown in FIG. 20, on thedisplay 8 of the gaming terminal 4 (step S401). This sub game bet screen62 a is a screen for betting on the sub game of which content is relatedto the main game.

Options of the sub game, a game area 64 for determining the payout rateof the selected options, and the bet buttons 63 for the options aredisplayed on the sub game bet screen 62 a as set in relation to eachother. In correspondence to the options, the bet buttons 63A to 63G areshown on the sub game bet screen 62 a. The combination of the optionsand the bet buttons 63 are shown as many as the number of the options.In an example shown in FIG. 20, seven options are shown.

In addition, on the sub game bet screen 62 a shown in FIG. 20, a slotmachine 64D is displayed in order to determine the payout rate of eachoption. The terminal CPU 91 of the gaming terminal 4 rearranges symbolson each column of the slot machine 64D. When the player touches a stopbutton 64B, the terminal CPU 91 stops scrolling of a left column. Whenthe player touches a stop button 64C, the terminal CPU 91 stopsscrolling of a center column. When the player touches a stop button 64D,the terminal CPU 91 stops scrolling of a right column. At a result, inthe case where it becomes a prescribed symbol arrangement such assymbols are aligned on a row, the payout rate will be determinedcorresponding to the arrangement.

In addition, on the sub game bet screen 62 a, similarly as the betscreen 61, a bet confirmation button 65, bet buttons 66, a payoutcounter 67 and a credit counter 68 are displayed on the display 8.

When the sub game bet screen 62 a shown in FIG. 20 is displayed at thegaming terminal 4, the terminal CPU 91 starts accepting the bets in thesub game (step S402). During this period, the player can bet credits onthe option of the sub game by touching the bet buttons 63A to 63G andthe bet buttons 66 as described above.

In addition, the terminal CPU 91 executes a payout determinationprocessing to determine a payout rate for the selected option (stepS403). In the example shown in FIG. 20, the payout determinationprocessing is executed by using the slot machine 64D. When the betconfirmation button 65 is touched, the terminal CPU 91 transmits thenumber of bets and the selected option on the sub game bet screen 62 aas the betting information to the server 13 (step S404). At this point,the terminal CPU 91 also transmits the payout rate determined by theabove payout rate determination processing as the betting information tothe server 13.

After that, according to the control of the server CPU 81, the terminalCPU 91 receives a signal that indicates the betting period for the subgame is ended from the server 13 (step S405). When the betting periodfor the sub game is ended, the terminal CPU 91 exits the display of thesub game bet screen 62 a of FIG. 20 on the display 8 of the gamingterminal 4 (step S406).

Next, the gaming processing of the server regarding the sub game will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 19. The gaming processing of the servershown in FIG. 19 is processed in parallel to the gaming processing ofthe server regarding the main game described with references to FIG. 13to FIG. 15.

First, the server CPU 91 judges whether the sub game betting period flagstored in the sub game betting period flag memory area 83G of the RAM 83is ON or not (step S451). This sub game betting period flag is set bythe server CPU 91 during the main game described with references to FIG.13 to FIG. 15. The server CPU 91 sets this flag ON while it is possibleto bet on the sub game, and sets it OFF while it is not possible to bet.In the case where the sub game betting period flag is not ON, theprocessing waits until the sub game betting period flag becomes ON.

When the sub game betting period flag becomes ON, the server CPU 91displays the sub game bet screen 62 a at the gaming terminal 4 (stepS452). More specifically, the server CPU 91 extracts the gamingterminals 4 at which the betting on the roulette game (main game) hasnot been placed, and transmits a command for displaying the sub game betscreen 62 a shown in FIG. 20 to the extracted gaming terminals 4.

When the betting information entered at this sub game bet screen 62 a istransmitted to the server 13, the server CPU 91 receives this bettinginformation from the gaming terminal 4 (step S453). In addition, theserver CPU 91 judges whether the sub game betting period flag is OFF ornot (step S454). In the case where the sub game betting period flag isnot OFF, the server CPU 91 returns the processing to the step S453 andwaits for a new betting information.

On the other hand, when it is judged that the sub game betting period isOFF, the server CPU 91 proceeds the processing to the step S455. Theserver CPU 91 transmits a command for exit the display of the sub gamebet screen 62 a on the display 8 to the gaming terminal 4 (step S455).

Here, in the case where the server CPU 81 determines the payout rate ofthe sub game, the payout rate is determined by executing the aboveprescribed payout determination processing when the betting informationof the sub game is received from the gaming terminal 4 at the step S453,and it is displayed at the gaming terminal 4.

As described, according to the present modified embodiment, it ispossible to determine the payout rate of the sub game by a prescribeprocessing. In this way, it is possible to provide games with higherentertainment characteristics to the players. Also, the server 13 maydetermine the payout rate to be assigned to each player by accountingfor the total payout or the winning log. In this way, it is possible toassign the payout more evenly.

Note that, as described above, it is possible to make the player toselect the sub game to be played by providing a plurality of sub games.In this case, at the step S201 of FIG. 16 or the step S401 of FIG. 19, asub game selection screen 62 b of FIG. 21 is displayed on the display 8first. Here, three options 80A to 80C of the sub game will be displayed.In order to attract the interests of the player to the slot game (maingame), the contents of the three sub games are all related to the slotgame. The player selects one from the options. For example, when theoption 80A of FIG. 21 is selected, it proceeds to the sub game betscreen 62 or 62 a of FIG. 17 or FIG. 20.

1. A gaming machine comprising: a game execution device for executing afirst game; a plurality of gaming terminals at which operations byplayers for the first game or a second game related to the first gameare inputted; and a game controller connected to the gaming terminals,operable to: (a) set a betting accepting period and a game executionperiod for the first game, (b) accept the player's bet of game media onthe first game during the betting accepting period, (c) execute thefirst game at the game execution device during the game executionperiod, and (d) execute the second game at time other than the bettingaccepting period at the gaming terminal at which the player's bet on thefirst game is not placed.
 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1,wherein the game controller is operable to: (a) store plural types ofthe second game, and (b) make the player to select any one of the pluraltypes of the second game at the gaming terminal at which the player'sbet on the first game is not placed.
 3. A gaming machine comprising: agame execution device for executing a first game; a plurality of gamingterminals at which operations by players for the first game or a secondgame related to the first game are inputted; a memory for storing payoutdata in which options on which the player's bet can be placed on thesecond game and payout rates for respective options are set in relation;a game controller connected to the gaming terminals, operable to: (a)set a betting accepting period and a game execution period for the firstgame, (b) accept the player's bet of game media on the first game duringthe betting accepting period, (c) execute the first game at the gameexecution device during the game execution period, (d) display theoptions and the payout rates according to the payout data at time otherthan the betting accepting period at the gaming terminal at which theplayer's bet on the first game is not placed, and (e) accept theplayer's bet of the game media on any of the options in the second gameat the gaming terminal at which the player's bet in the first game isnot placed.
 4. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the gamecontroller is operable to: (a) store plural types of the second game,and (b) make the player to select any one of the plural types of thesecond game at the gaming terminal at which the player's bet on thefirst game is not placed.
 5. A gaming machine comprising: a gameexecution device for executing a first game; a plurality of gamingterminals at which operations by players for the first game or a secondgame related to the first game are inputted; and a game controllerconnected to the gaming terminals, operable to: (a) set a bettingaccepting period and a game execution period for the first game, (b)accept the player's bet of game media on the first game during thebetting accepting period, (c) execute the first game at the gameexecution device during the game execution period, (d) accept theplayer's bet of the game media on any of options in the second game attime other than the betting accepting period at the gaming terminal atwhich the player's bet in the first game is not placed, (e) determine apayout rate for one of the options when the bet on any of the optionsfor the second game is accepted, and (f) display the payout rate of theaccepted option at the gaming terminal at which the player's bet on thefirst game is not placed.
 6. The gaming machine according to claim 5,wherein the game controller is operable to: (a) store plural types ofthe second game, and (b) make the player to select any one of the pluraltypes of the second game at the gaming terminal at which the player'sbet on the first game is not placed.
 7. A playing method of a gamingmachine having a plurality of gaming terminals at which operations byplayers for a first game executed at a game execution device or a secondgame related to the first game are inputted, comprising: betting gamemedia on the first game at the gaming terminal within a bettingaccepting period set for the first game; executing the first game at thegame execution device within a game execution period set for the firstgame; and executing the second game at time other than the bettingaccepting period at the gaming terminal at which the player's bet on thefirst game is not placed.
 8. The playing method of a gaming machineaccording to claim 7, further comprising: making the player to selectany one of plural types of the second game stored in the gaming machineat the gaming terminal at which the player's bet on the first game isnot placed.
 9. A playing method of a gaming machine having a gameexecution device and a plurality of gaming terminals at which operationsby players for a first game executed at the game execution device or asecond game related to the first game are inputted, comprising: bettinggame media on the first game at the gaming terminal within a bettingaccepting period set for the first game; executing the first game at thegame execution device within a game execution period set for the firstgame; displaying betting options and payout rates of the options for thesecond game at time other than the betting accepting period at thegaming terminal at which the player's bet on the first game is notplaced; and accepting bets of the game media on any of the options inthe second game, at those gaming terminals at which bets in the firstgame are not placed.
 10. The playing method of a gaming machineaccording to claim 9, further comprising: making the player to selectany one of plural types of the second game stored in the gaming machineat the gaming terminal at which the player's bet on the first game isnot placed.
 11. A playing method of a gaming machine having a gameexecution device and a plurality of gaming terminals at which operationsby players for a first game executed at the game execution device or asecond game related to the first game are inputted, comprising: bettinggame media on the first game at the gaming terminal within a bettingaccepting period set for the first game; executing the first game at thegame execution device within a game execution period set for the firstgame; accepting the player's bet of the game media on any of options forthe second game at time other than the betting accepting period at thegaming terminal at which the player's bet on the first game is notplaced; determining a payout rate for one of the options when the bet onany of the options for the second game is accepted; and displaying thepayout rate of the accepted option at the gaming terminal at which theplayer's bet on the first game is not placed.
 12. The playing method ofa gaming machine according to claim 11, further comprising: making theplayer to select any one of plural types of the second game stored inthe gaming machine at the gaming terminal at which the player's bet onthe first game is not placed.